Nats agree to contract extension with GM Rizzo

WASHINGTON — The Nationals agreed to a two-year contract extension with President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo.

The news comes as the Nats get ready to play the home-opener against the Mets Thursday.

“Mike’s commitment to our shared goal of bringing a World Championship to Washington, D.C. makes this an exciting day for our family and the Washington Nationals,” said Theodore N. Lerner, managing principal owner of the Washington Nationals, in a news release. “Mike and his staff have built quite a team — one that brings excitement to our ballpark every night and gives our city something to be proud of.”

The Nationals did not say how much the contract with Rizzo, 57, is worth.

Rizzo has been with the team since July 2006 and was promoted to general manager in August 2013.

“I’m proud of the progress we’ve made in Washington, DC, building the Nationals from nearly expansion status into one of the winningest clubs in Major League Baseball,” Rizzo said, in a news release. “I appreciate the Lerner family for giving me the continued opportunity to see what we can accomplish in the future.”

Rizzo is credited with transforming the team and building a strong player development system.

He is one of one of the longest-tenured general managers in baseball, the team said.

Colleen Kelleher

Colleen Kelleher is an award-winning journalist who has been with WTOP since 1996. Kelleher joined WTOP as the afternoon radio writer and night and weekend editor and made the move to WTOP.com in 2001. Now she works early mornings as the site's Senior Digital Editor.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up